6 days Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Beneath the Cardamom Mountains or on the banks of the Mekong, Khmer village life goes on pretty much as it always has (give or take the odd iPhone). And when you’re watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat or the ruins of Tha Promh, the modern world feels a long way off. While progress was dampened for years by a tragic history, Cambodia is now a country on the move.
With riverside boulevards and art galleries popping up in Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap's growing reputation for hip cafes and top-notch dining and, Cambodia tours aren’t just about the temple-gazing (although we have to admit, the gazing is pretty darn good!).
Day 1: Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our adventure begins with a welcome meeting late in the afternoon. If you arrive early, perhaps stroll the streets of Phnom Penh, taking in the interesting French colonial architecture. Dinner tonight will be at a riverside local restaurant and may include dishes like beef lok lak or fish amok. Enjoy getting to know your fellow travellers over delicious Cambodian specialties. The night is spent in a hotel. (Dinner is included)
Day 2: Phnom Penh
Today a full city tour introduces you to the sights of Phnom Penh, a city that lies near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are home to King Sihamoni and are closed to the public. You will, however, be able to visit the Silver Pagoda that lies in the palace complex, which is the most sacred temple in the country.
Phnom Penh remains a living relic of the country’spast struggles and successes. Your included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Tuol Sleng is a former school that served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre, and it’s estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here.
The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are home to a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls, marking the site of the infamous location. This was the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng, and standing in this peaceful setting, it's almost unthinkable to imagine that to date nearly 9000 corpses have been exhumed from the area.
The visits are major parts of the experience here, but if you don't wish to visit them, please let your leader know. There is an optional visit to Wat Phnom, the temple that gave rise to the foundation of the city in the 15th century. After today's activities, we may wish to spend this evening relaxing in a cafe by the riverfront. The night is spent in the same hotel. (Breakfast and lunch are included)
Day 3: Phnom Penh / Siem Reap
Begin the scenic drive to Siem Reap (approximately 7 hours, including stops). Along the way, swing by a local village restaurant for a tasty lunch. Arrive in the small but expanding town of Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor and the most popular destination for travellers in all of Cambodia, perhaps even in South East Asia.
We take a walk and enjoy the atmosphere. A visit to the old market is a must, even if you're not looking for souvenirs, wandering through the stalls and surrounding shops the silks, cottons, sarongs, silver and statues are a riot of colour and a feast for the eyes – and there will be one for our stomach too if we try some of the cheap, delicious street food!
There's also a long tradition of shadow puppetry in the region, and if we're lucky we might catch a show at one of the local restaurants in the evening, perhaps while you're eating the specialty cuisine of Cambodia – amok, the name given to curry steam-cooked in banana leaves. We stay overnight in a hotel. (Breakfast and lunch are included)
Day 4: Siem Reap / Angkor Wat
Spend a full day visiting the amazing temples of Angkor on a guided exploration. Angkor Wat is the largest and most complete structure, and the only one of Angkor's temples that has its entrance facing west – the others face east. Of all the temples visited today, Bayon is the centrepiece, with over 200 smiling carved faces and more than 50 gothic towers.
Visit an ancient monastery where you’ll meet a Buddhist monk and take part in a ritual that has survived for thousands of years. Sit on the floor as the monk chants and sprinkles holy water over us before tying a sacred thread around our wrist, ensuring protection and good luck for the rest of our journey.
For lunch we'll visit the Sala Bai Hotel School where disadvantaged local youth learn skills that enable them to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Afterward, we will head to Ta Prohm, a temple where nature has taken over, as large trees have become embedded in the stone foundations of the structure. End the day with a sunset view of the temples – an extraordinary way to see the sun go down. We spend the night in the same hotel. (Breakfast and lunch are included)
Day 5: Siem Reap / Angkor Wat
Embrace a very early start today if you wish to experience a sunrise visit to the Angkor complex (this is optional). Today we'll visit the temple of Banteay Srei – we'll see it's not a huge temple, but thanks to its intricate stone carvings it is sometimes referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art’.
Later this afternoon, get an insight into the daily life of Cambodians on a village tour. See the rice fields and family allotment that surround the traditional stilt houses. Be welcomed into a local home as we join together for sunset drinks. This evening, enjoy a final farewell dinner with your fellow travellers and one last night of delicious Cambodian cuisine at a specially chosen restaurant. The night is spent in the same hotel. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included)
Day 6: Siem Reap
After breakfast, we are free to leave at any time, as there are no activities planned today. (Breakfast is included)
The facts:
The trip cost: $698USD per person for a group of 2 to 6 people
The trip cost includes everything except for drinks and personal expenses
Have a great trip!!!
